Feb. 22, 2017
Contributed by Shaundor Chillingworth
The perpetuation of Polynesian wayfinding continues to be a source of pride for students, the organization and the entire Hawaiian community, adding strength to a collective sense of Native Hawaiian identity. Kamehameha Schools is proud to be the education sponsor of the Hōkūleʻa Worldwide Voyage.
On Feb. 10, the crew of the Hōkūleʻa set sail for Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, continuing the Worldwide Voyage's Mālama Honua global movement to care for our earth and marking Hōkūleʻa's return to the navigational ocean currents that will lead her home.
The waʻa set sail from the Galapagos Island after spending time learning more about the islands' fragile ecosystem and discussing best practices for how to conserve the earth's most critical resources.
"Heading to Rapa Nui, Hōkūleʻa carries the invaluable lessons of global sustainability that were learned and shared at other UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Galapagos Islands," said Nainoa Thompson, president of Polynesian Voyaging Society.
"In addition to being a recognized global resource by organizations such as UNESCO, Rapa Nui signifies a major cultural return for Polynesian navigation and our Worldwide Voyage as we re-enter the Polynesian triangle, the birthplace of our wayfinding heritage."
Hōkūleʻa is expected to port in Rapa Nui around Feb. 28, weather permitting. The crew will stay on the island for approximately a week before sailing on to French Polynesia. The crew will again be joined by a contingency of teachers and students from Hawaiʻi, including one from Kamehameha Schools. The last time Hōkūleʻa visited Rapa Nui was on a voyage that took place in 1999.
An island just a little larger than Kahoʻolawe (Kanaloa), Rapa Nui is host to famed archaeological sites including nearly 900 monumental statues called moai. It is a remote volcanic island located in Polynesia under Chilean territory. Rapa Nui represents an opportunity for the crew to learn more about the island's status as a World Heritage Site as well as the rich cultural history of its Polynesian ancestors.
This leg of the voyage has offered a nice moment for reflection. In his crew blog, KSK alum and crew member Naʻalehu Anthony takes time to think about all the learning that has taken place throughout this voyage and throughout the decades Hōkūleʻa has been voyaging. See his and many other updates on the blog at hokulea.com. A lesson on navigation basics is a part of the updates.
Hōkūleʻa is on the final stretch of her journey before returning home on June 17, with a special homecoming event hosted at Magic Island. Sign-ups for homecoming festivities details are being taken now on hokulea.com/home/
Kamehameha Schools is proud to be the Education Sponsor of the Hōkūleʻa Worldwide Voyage. For more information about the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the Worldwide Voyage, visit hokulea.com or find the society on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Google+. To see more Wa‘a Wednesday stories and much more about the Mālama Honua Voyage, go to the KS Online Mālama Honua page(if you are on a KS Network) or see related articles below.
Sunrise and sunset are the most important times of the day for navigators to get a fix and find their clues in the horizon.
Navigation team members Lehua and Noe Kamalu discuss course and heading at sunrise.
Navigation team members Haunani Kane and Jason Patterson discuss the sunrise and the direction of the canoe movement in relation its position.